The basic Ifor Williams tractor is an essential part of farms that raise livestock up and across the country, however its robust galvanised body may sometimes make owners believe that everything is perfect.
If you intend to drive a vehicle on the road, then every component needs to be in condition, including the brakes, mudguards, lights and mudguards.
The current rate:
TA510 (12ft)
Cattle-only £4,000
Including sheep deck £4,950
DP120 (12ft)
Cattle-only £4,250
Including sheep deck £5,150
If you’re caught with an unsound trailer, it’s likely that it will be addressed by means of a ban or fixed penalty notice or either.
The result of poor maintenance is likely to result in you losing points and money, however the consequences could be more severe in the event that your trailer gets involved in an incident.
A regular service is the best method to keep your sheep and cattle boxes in good condition and, if you’re running an Ifor less than 10 years old, then it could cost as little as £135.
The older models are some extra dollars due to the fact that wheel bearings require a bit longer to come off and even a trailer that is in a poor condition is likely to pay a repair charge of more than £400.
If you’d rather keep your maintenance in-house, some simple checks can ensure your equipment stays within the bounds of the law. We’ve identified 10 areas that could be troublesome:
- Secondary brake cable
The coupling for the secondary brake cable must be installed and connected.
As important is the fact that it should be looped around one of the eyelets on the frame instead of being wrapped around the ball since if the bolts that hold the ball break, the entire thing will fall free.
It’s not expensive, so it’s worth having an extra one inside the pickup in case it does snap when making a move.
Cost of replacement Cost of a replacement: £6 Penalty for a replacement: £50
- Bolts
The four bolts that secure the hitch assembly must be tightened.
If you sense a little some slop between the assembly as well as the A-frame, when you attempt to put the hitch head onto the ball towing it, the hitch needs to be tightened up.
The head must also be able to turn easily to accommodate irregularities in the roadway.
- Gas Ram
The most vital elements that make up the trailer’s components is the gas-ram installed into the hitch head.
It’s designed to ensure an easy and smooth operation of the brakes on the trailer as it slows and cushioned any sharp movements.
If the damping ram’s function is not working, you’ll quickly hear the sledgehammer-like sounds of the truck crashing on its stops each time you apply the brakes.
It’s usually due to the brakes not being adjusted properly however the loud shaking can eventually break the tow bar away and put extra stress on the brakes on the pickup too.
To decrease the chances for this to happen ensure that those two grease nickels at both sides of the unit are subjected to a small amount of oiling a few times every year. If it cannot move freely into and out, the brakes on your trailer won’t function effectively.
If the vehicle is partially sequestered it means that the brakes will take a long time to release and engage.
It is a good idea to engage the handbrake on the trailer and then reverse the towing vehicle to the left a couple of inches back – the strut is built to withstand 3.5t and should be able to return the vehicle back to its initial position after the clutch has been depressed.
Cost of replacement cost: £50 The penalty: £100 and 3 points
- Handbrake
The handbrake is yet another check-point item that is quick to inspect.
The spring helps hold the brakes in place after it has been put in place, so if move the arm upwards, and it slides back down the spring must be replacement.
After being engaged, the arm should rest at an angle of 45 degrees – should it point towards the sky, then it has to be adjusted or the brakes require changing.
For a test for a test, the handbrake must have enough force to stop the vehicle towing it if it attempts to move away without throttle.
Cost of replacement cost: £55; Penalties £100 plus 3 points
- Hitch assembly
In the event that two to three components in the hitch system have worn out, it may be better to replace all of them.
A new version has the lock (£20) and a hitting head (£75) brake rod (£50) draw tube (£50) but not the jockey wheel.
Cost of replacing Cost of a replacement: £350
- Balance bar
A rod in the hitch assembly regulates the brake cable, which is affixed through the front A-frame and through a bar for balance in the rear of the vehicle.
Then, the separate stainless steel cables that are sprung are connected to each of the hubs of the wheel, where they are used to operate the brake shoes.
Balance bars and the rockers should be aligned with the cables. If they don’t, then there’s a high possibility that the brakes will not be engaging in a uniform manner.
While you’re in the ground, you should also be taking a look at for the health of your cables.
Even though they are concealed within metal sleeves coated with an outer coating of plastic the sleeves can scratch the chassis and experience water infiltration, which could eventually cause them to rust and to seize.
Cost of replacement to a brake cable: £16 Cost of penalty: £100 plus 3 points
- Brake shoes
The brakes can’t adjust automatically It’s up to the driver to tweak them from time to time. Twin-axle trailers typically come with brake shoes that measure 10 inches However, for tri-axle models, they’re generally eight inches.
Like you’d imagine, the smaller ones are chewed through more quickly, which means they’ll need to be replaced at least every three years if they are regularly used. Contrary to that the brake lining on twin-axle models is more prone to wear off rather than wear out.
Cost of replacing an axle cost: £65 per axle. Cost of penalty: £100 plus 3 points
- Leaf spring
The bush and bolt connecting the leaf spring and the frame is considered to be the principal anchor point, and must be in good condition.
The bolt should pass through the middle of the bush. If it doesn’t, the bush is damaged and the loose fit could result in the bolt breaking.
Check for markings on the chassis that indicate whether the bolt was shifting.
Cost of new replacement £7.50 each
- Lights
The lighting system must be functional and should be fitted with reflective reflectors and numbers which must be placed at a distance of no more than 40cm from the point that is the farthest from the trailer.
The majority of replacement rear lights for an Ifor Williams trailer will come with mounts made of rubber and fly leads in standard. However, for the same price, you can purchase LED versions.
They are less prone to failures caused by road vibrations , and offer a more precise lighting.
They are sealed unit, which will prolong their life, however, it this also means that the entire part will require replacement in the event that the lens cracks.
In general, 80 percent of lighting problems are caused by corrosion around the plug, so make sure to check the plug first.
Cost of replacement Cost of a replacement: £20-30 for each light cluster The penalty is £50 for refractive or light service, £50 for lack of back number plate illumination, £100 for no rear number plate.
- Tyres
The rims of the tires must have at least 1mm tread , and should not be brittle or have cuts. The rims of 12 inches on DP trailers are able to run at a pressure of 95psi. This means that the weak spots are easily spotted out.
The taller 16-inchers that are on the TA boxes have a pressure of 68psi.
If you notice that only half the tyre’s tread is worn away, it’s likely it’s bent, and requires replacement.
Cost of replacement is between £75 and 80 per tyre. Cost of penalty: £200 and 3 points